Some of the BBC’s network radio stations are celebrating the work of William Shakespeare through a special season of programmes.
They’ll air on Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra during April and May as part of the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival.
Highlights include radio dramas of Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest, and a series of short programmes where public figures such as Jools Holland, Stephen Fry and Dr Rowan Williams share their favourite Shakespeare moments.
Many regular Radio 3 and Radio 4 programmes will also be producing special Shakespeare-themed editions – including The Reunion, In Tune, The Essay and Night Waves.
As well as new programming, there will be repeats of Radio 3’s 2011 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s version of Hamlet from 1994 which will air on Radio 4 Extra.
BBC Television is also taking part in the season, called ‘Shakespeare Unlocked’, which is a partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the British Museum and the World Shakespeare Festival.
Radio 3 programmes for Shakespeare Unlocked
Drama on 3: Twelfth Night – Sunday 22nd April, 8.30pm
Drama on 3: Romeo and Juliet – Sunday 29th April, 8.30pm
In Tune: Shakespeare and Love – Monday 23rd-Friday 27th April, 4.30pm
The Essay: Shakespeare and Love – Monday 23rd-Friday 27th April, 10.45pm
Night Waves: The Tempest – Thursday 3rd May, 10pm
Drama on 3: The Tempest – Sunday 6th May, 8.30pm
Drama on 3: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (repeat) – Sunday 13th May, 8.30pm
The Essay: Shakespeare Around The Globe – Monday 14th-Friday 18th May, 10.45pm
My Shakespeare – Monday 14th-Sunday 20th May (throughout the day)
Season highlights on Radio 4
Shakespeare’s Restless World – weekdays at 1.45pm (repeated at 7.45pm) starting Monday 16th April
William Shakespeare’s Playlist – Saturday 21st April, 10.30am
The Reunion – Sunday 22nd April, 11.15am
My Shakespeare – Saturday 12th-Friday 25th May, Radio 4 (throughout the day)
Radio 4 Extra schedule
The Reduced Shakespeare Company – Hamlet from May 1994 – Wednesday 18th April, 11pm
Shakespeare: Thereby Hangs A Tale – A Celebration of the Swan of Avon – Saturday 21st April, 9.00am, repeated 7.00pm
The Jacobean Box – Tuesday 24th April, 10.00am, repeats 3.00pm and 3.00am
The Reduced Shakespeare Company – The Comedies from May 1994 – Wednesday 25th April, 11.00pm
Another Shakespeare – Thursday 26th April, 11.15am, repeats 9.15pm and 4.15am
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Posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at 9:37 am by RadioToday Staff